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Hawaii Catholics for Wildfire and Hurricane Victims

September 21, 2020

Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is requesting a special appeal in support of the Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund. In the wake of disastrous emergencies (e.g. wildfires on U.S. West Coast and hurricanes impacting the US Gulf Coast), USCCB designated relief agencies respond to humanitarian, long-term recovery and Church needs. Such Disaster Relief is desperately needed now.    

At least eighty-seven large wildfires have ravaged through western states obliterating entire communities in their path, burning more than 4.6 million acres in 10 states. Smoke, soot and ash in effected areas have made the air quality very dangerous to human health, particularly for vulnerable persons with pre-existing health conditions. And this is only the beginning of the wildfire season. 

At the same time, the Very Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is making a special plea on behalf of his diocese still digging out of the destruction left by Hurricane Laura fewer than 3 weeks ago. Authorities expect it to take two to four weeks before electricity, telephone and internet services are fully restored.

Currently, several active tropical cyclones are in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall this week near Louisiana and Mississippi. The NHC warns of “life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding.”

Our own Bishop Larry Silva is asking Hawaii’s faithful to respond to the USCCB’s special appeal to support the USCCB Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund so that those most in need can receive assistance quickly. While NOT a formal second collection, we do ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity to help our brothers and sisters affected by these disasters.

1. Parishioners please write checks payable to the parish noting on the memo Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund. 
2. Online donations can also be made by going to: https://www.catholichawaii.org/support-relief